Chris Hammond’s (Chair of East Kent for Europe) view of the NRM
What a day! It exceeded all expectations and gave us all hope, a strengthened belief in the cause and a resolve to continue campaigning for this ‘noble cause’ (Will Hutton). East Kent for Europe opted early on to be one of many Official Partners to the March.
This allowed us to participate via Zoom meetings with the organisers, and other groups, and it also helped to raise our profile. The real benefit, though, was to raise the feeling of community, of being part of the event and being able to contribute. It was a truly ‘grassroots’ event all along; that was thanks to the really genuine, understanding and inclusive nature of Peter Corr and his close team.
The day itself just simply unravelled so positively: Good company on the HS1 train from Canterbury, spotting a few pro-EU people in Hyde Park, then the build up as more arrived at the Statue of Achilles, the meeting point for all Kent groups, Bremain in Spain (yes, they did fly over just for this event!) and the Rejoin Party. Then moving over Park Lane (follow that guy with the EU beret!) to the main group near the Hilton. At that point it became clear there were not just 10 000, but considerably more; in fact, close on around 50 000.
Marching the traditional route, chatting to complete strangers, but with a common unifying basis, seeing the sea of blue with yellow flags and reading the interesting and amusing placards all made for positive lasting impressions. Then the packed Parliament Square with the many speeches with poignant tips, slogans and words of encouragement.
A day truly well spent; see you all on the next one!
Jane Carne’s view of the National Rejoin March
Going to the National Rejoin March was a positive, uplifting experience in such contrast to the daily reality of lies, corruption and chaos we have to endure from our government and its cronies. People from all over the country came to show support for a better, different future. They are tired of all the nonsense.
It has now been six years since the 2016 EU Referendum, when we were all promised so much. But where are the ‘Brexit Benefits’? Where is the famous £350 million a week for the NHS? The oven ready deal? The frictionless trade and prosperity?
The ‘Brexiters’ promised so much yet they have delivered nothing but a wrecked economy and political chaos and corruption.
The Brexit referendum and its aftermath have been so painful that many people, political parties and the media will not even mention the word, let alone acknowledge just how many of our problems stem from it.
So, those people on the march are starting the process of being able to openly question the decisions our government and the media have taken over the last six years. We need to talk about Brexit – because it isn’t working – and the ‘Brexiters’ do not have a plan that delivers the things they promised.
As always, we gathered and marched peacefully – so good to be able to talk openly about how much we have all lost, and the idea of starting to undo the damage caused by so many false promises.
Why Rejoin the EU? To take back control of our country and our lives. Ensure the rule of law. Secure our rights as British and European citizens. And…. Growth, growth, growth!
First National Remain March, Michel laRue
Up to Appledore Station, collected the tickets, the train was cancelled, drove to Ashford and caught the planned service to Charing Cross.
Met my youngest daughter (Ely) under the clock at Charing Cross (very significant – its where my parents met on a blind date in 1941). Caught the number 9 bus to Hyde Park Corner. Spotted the first Marchers on the way heading in the same direction on foot.
Arrived at the Achilles Statue and met with many of the old crowd! Delved into my backpack and donned my marching uniform – CT4EU T shirt (extra-large), EU blue hard hat with gold stars, European flag on telescopic flag staff (with small Spanish flag for my wife), fog horn. Ely took selfie with me and Nick in the background – her first ever demo!
Struck by the number of young people – no longer predominately aged agitators!
Our group merged with the others and moved off along the route. Happy to see Femi standing on a piece of street furniture in Piccadilly filming the march – told him that he was my hero!
Good steady pace to Parliament Square, no holdups, proud to pass Quebec House and Canada House with their flags flying, but no partisan participation.
Met up with members of Bremain in Spain – enjoyed a chat with the Priest in charge in Almeria, who had extended a planned visit so she could march. Told her about my late wife.
Good speakers in the Square, especially impressed with Guy Verhofstadt praising Churchill’s European ambitions and saying that the EU would welcome us back.
Lizzie Finn-Kelcey
How lucky we were that the weather held up for the first Rejoin EU March in London….we are sure this will be the first of many to come! The feeling was uplifting, peaceful and joyful – and with renewed hope we waved flags and banners from Park Lane, up Piccadilly, down the Mall to Westminster, shouting out for a General Election and Bollox to Brexit as we passed 10 Downing Street…although we knew that no one except Larry the cat was at home!
The police did a fantastic job and even they were smiling as we went past.
Despite the publicity and fantastic turn out of over 50,000 at this first Rejoin rally, we were disappointed, but hardly surprised, that there was absolutely no TV coverage!
Angela Dickinson (Chair of Hythe Remainers)
My key takeaway from being back “on the march” this week was the sense of community and family! Seeing the huge sea of blue and yellow stretch the length of Piccadilly was wonderful. Banners representing our fellow EU supporters from all over the country gave me great heart about the future of our movement. The camaraderie throughout the march was infectious, and the speeches thoughtfully curated and inspiring. It served as a valuable reminder that all of those groups are our people; the wonderful, diverse and thoughtful community which simply views its neighbours as fellow citizens. We are right, and we must not give up.
